The Sage Dictionary of Social Research Methods

Bringing together the work of over eighty leading academics and researchers worldwide to produce the definitive reference and research tool for the social sciences, The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods contains more than 230 entries providing the widest coverage of all the main terms in the research process. It encompasses philosophies of science, research paradigms and designs, specific aspects of data collection, practical issues to be addressed when carrying out research, and the role of research in terms of function and context.

Each entry includes a concise definition of the concept; a description of distinctive features including historical and disciplinary backgrounds, key writers, and applications; a critical and reflective evaluation of the concept under consideration; cross references to associated concepts within the dictionary; and a list of key readings.

Written in a lively style, The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods is an essential study guide for students and first-time researchers. It is a primary source of reference for advanced study, a necessary supplement to established textbooks, and a state-of-the-art reference guide to the specialized language of research across the social sciences.

Victor Jupp is Principal Lecturer in Criminology and Social Research in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Northumbria University

Contributors

Malcolm Ashmore, Loughborough University, UK

Lee Barron, Northumbria University, UK

Russell W. Belk, Northwestern University, USA

Roy Boyne, University of Durham, UK

Angela Brady, Northumbria University, UK

David Brockington, University Of Plymouth, UK

Martin Bulmer, University of Surrey, UK

John Bynner, University of London, UK

David Byrne, University of Durham, UK

Michael Carrithers, University of Durham, UK

Ellis Cashmore, Staffordshire University, UK

Amanda Coffey, Cardiff University, UK

Tony Columbo, Coventry University, UK

Louise Corti, University of Essex, UK

Iain Crow, University of Sheffield, UK

Julia Davidson, University of Westminster, UK

Pamela Davies, Northumbria University, UK

Martyn Denscombe, De Montfort University, UK

Derek Edwards, Loughborough University, UK

Nigel Fielding, University of Surrey, UK

Uwe Flick, University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany

Jeremy Foster, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Philip Gardner, Cambridge University, UK

Jeanette Garwood, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

Luca Greco, University of Paris III (Sorbonne Nouvelle), France

Martyn Hammersley, The Open University, UK

Jamie Harding, Northumbria University, UK

Rom Harré, Georgetown University, USA

Eric Harrison, University of Oxford, UK

Alexa Hepburn, Loughborough University, UK

Claire Hewson, Bolton Institute, UK

Dick Hobbs, University of Durham, UK

Mark Israel, Flinders University, Australia

David Jary, University of Birmingham, UK

Vince Keddie, Department for Education and Skills, UK

Aidan Kelly, University of East London, UK

Robert Kozinets, Northwestern University, USA

Richard Lampard, University of Warwick, UK

Gayle Letherby, Coventry University, UK

Curt Le Baron, Brigham Young University, Utah, USA

Ana Lopes, University of East London, UK

Eugene McLaughlin, The Open University, UK

Craig McLean, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Bernd Marcus, Chemintz University, Germany

Steve Miles, Northumbria University, UK

David L. Morgan, Portland State University, USA

Rachael Moss, University of Liverpool, UK

George Moyser, University of Vermont, USA

John Muncie, The Open University, UK

John Newton, Northumbria University, UK

Paul Oliver, University of Huddersfield, UK

Geoff Payne, formerly University of Plymouth, UK

Sarah Pink, Loughborough University, UK

Helen Poole, Coventry University, UK

Jonathon Potter, Loughborough University, UK

Paul Pye, University of Teesside, UK

Deborah Reed-Danahay, University of Texas at Arlington, USA

Karl-Heinz Renner, University of Bamburg, Germany

Catherine Riessman, Boston University, USA

Lyn Richards, Director, Research Services, QSR, Australia

Margaret Rowe, Northumbria University, UK

Andrew Rutherford, University of Keele, UK

Roger Sapsford, University of Teesside, UK

Mark Saunders, Oxford Brookes University, UK

Thomas A. Schwandt, University of Illinois, USA

John Scott, University of Essex, UK

Christina Silver, University of Surrey, UK

Teresa Smallbone. Oxford Brookes University, UK

Mark Smith, The Open University, UK

Paul Spector, University of South Florida, USA

Robert Stallings, University of Southern California, USA

Thomas Staufenbriel, University of Osnabrueck, Germany

Graham Steventon, Coventry University, UK

Maggie Sumner, University of Westminster, UK

John Swain, Northumbria University, UK

Nick Tilley, Nottingham Trent University, UK

Adelinde Uhrmacher, University of Rostock, Germany

Paul Valentine, University of East London, UK

David de Vaus, La Trobe University, Australia

Margie Wetherell, The Open University, UK

Chris Wharton, Northumbria University, UK

Malcolm Williams, University of Plymouth, UK